Engaged in Awareness
To truly “know thyself” is in some respects unattainable. Once you finally think you’ve discovered who you are, life throws at you a new experience. The deeper you go into the discovery process of what makes you the person you are, other components of yourself start to emerge. Nonetheless, there is a core essence of who you are that never changes. Getting in touch with that core-self can be both challenging and simple, depending on your focus.
The process of the evolving self is entirely dependent on the present moment. Without being present in the here-and-now, one cannot come to know the real version of the self. By being connected and aware in the present moment, we are able to understand that the uncovering process is more about the melting away of the outside armor which means that by stripping away the exterior, you start to see that the core of who we are is already whole and needs no additives.
Often we look to our emotions as a guide for self-discovery. We seek to identify with emotions because they can be so palpable and immediate, yet the process of labeling ourselves via emotional states creates a platform of false associations. When we focus too much on thoughts, feelings and sensations, we loose the ability to see with insight the core of who we really are. When we stop claiming “I am sad” and instead mention,”I am experiencing sadness” we start the process of knowing ourselves with a lot more clarity. When we focus on the waves and not the ocean, we loose sight of the vastness of all that is. When we only see the weather and not the stars behind the storm, we miss out on the fullness of the universe. There will always be stars regardless of if our vision is hazy from fog and clouds, it’s simply up to us to remind ourselves of that.
The awareness of life and all its fluidity is how we come to experience more ownership over who we are. In moments of deep emotional experience we can learn how to be more attune to that which does not change. These fluid states of pain and consternation reveal to us our tolerance for the “intolerable.” For example, when we are triggered by a certain experience or feeling, it helps to first pause and reflect without acting on that thought immediately. These are useful teaching moments that help us to sift through charged human reactions and instead stay engaged in the process by simply acknowledging that the emotion is present. This not-rushing-to-fix-or -rasp moment is what it means to be present.
Learn to engage without an agenda in the chaos of everyday experiences. This skill alone will teach us how to be more human by accepting that uncertainty and ambiguity are simply an aspect of being alive. Train your brain to stay focused on proactive components and interventions rather than overly paying attention to the things that spark a reaction.
